Milk

Synopsis

Sean Penn won an Oscar for his portrayal of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in California, who was murdered by a fellow city supervisor in 1978. This biopic charts the last 8 years of the political activist’s life, after he moves to Castro in San Francisco.

I don't think I really need to say much about the acting other than that it is superb, especially Sean Penn. This is by far the strongest role I've ever seen him play. I also enjoyed a lot of the cinematography, there were some really powerful shots, especially the reflection on the whistle. Definitely another essential biopic.

Well, this was an emotional one for me. Sean Penn is killing the acting in here - from the first scene you can almost taste another person, his moves, his smile. He delivers it. I also really like the colors of this film, it's nostalgic and beautiful. The kind of story that's almost good on its own - Van Sant just had to figure out the truth in it, visually, and he did.

Rather muted account of Milk's short but momentous political career. It feels more like mainstream cinema pushing its boundaries half an inch or so, than a more radical queer-politico reading which is hiding in there somewhere. As it is, an unremarkable account of little-man-made-big. The central performance though, is suitably sensitive.

Cried twice. This is an incredible amalgamation of all the experimental work Van Sant has occupied himself with over the years. So many techniques are used to sell the heroic story of Harvey Milk and every single technique is perfectly executed. Tremendous performance from Sean Penn as well as Josh Brolin. Sensitively tackled and beautifully directed.

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